This tour allows you to see the Top Three most popular sights of Corfu Island. Visit the Empress of Austrias Achilleon Palace, the famous Mouse Island and explore Corfu Town.
Located in the village of Gastouri, the route to the Achillion Palace takes you along coastal roads and through a landscape of orange, lemon and olive groves.
Built in 1890 by the tragic Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the magnificent palace was designed with the mythical hero Achilles as its main theme. Massive sculptures dominate the grounds and paintings throughout the palace pay homage to Achilles. Designed in the Neo-Classical style with Italianate terraced gardens that are planted with an array of exotic plants and trees. The centre piece of the garden is the statue Dying Achilles by the German sculptor Herter. In 1907 Kaiser Wilhelm II purchased the Achillion and continued the theme and added the magnificent bronze, Achilles the Victor.
After the First World War the Achillion was returned to the Greek state as part of the Treaty of Versailles. It was used as a military head quarters during World War II. In 1962 it was leased to a private company that converted the upper level into a casino and the lower floors became the museum. The casino scene from the James Bond film, For Your Eyes Only was filmed there.
After leaving the Achillion the tour continues with a short, scenic drive to one of the most famous landmarks in Corfu, Mouse Island in the Bay of Kanoni.
Our tour continues as we head back to Corfu Town. You will visit the Old Town where the narrow, cobbled streets are known as Kantounia, the Espianada and the cricket ground. You will have some free time to stroll along the Liston arcades, visit the Palace of St. Michael and St. George or the old Church of Saint Spyridon, with its priceless collection of icons and gifts offered to the Patron Saint of Corfu.
